Abstract

The synthesis of inexpensive and efficient electrocatalysts with an excellent stability for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in both alkaline and acid media through a facile environment-friendly strategy is extremely desirable but remains challenging. In this study, a single-atom iron electrocatalyst with exclusively Fe–N₄ moieties anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanorods (denoted as Fe–SA/NCS) is synthesized through a one-step pyrolysis of Fe-doped zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF8) nanorods that are synthesized in an aqueous system without acid leaching assistance. Profiting from the synergistic effect of the hierarchically porous carbon support with a rodlike structure and the large number of Fe–N₄ moieties, the newly prepared Fe–SA/NCS exhibits excellent ORR catalysis activities with a half-wave potential of 0.91 V vs RHE in 0.1 M KOH as well as 0.77 V vs RHE in 0.1 M HClO₄. Furthermore, better stability in alkaline or acid conditions was also observed for Fe–SA/NCS compared with Pt/C. The high open-circuit voltage of 1.53 V and high power density of 141.6 mW cm–² of a zinc–air battery (ZAB) with Fe–SA/NCS as the cathode material indicate excellent electrochemical performances. The ZAB with the Fe–SA/NCS catalysts exhibits a remarkable cycling performance for more than 300 h with a high voltaic efficiency of 78.6%. The present work could pave the way for the rational construction of highly efficient and stable single-atom electrocatalysts through green synthesis for sustainable energy technologies.

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